Dublin stabbings – latest: Children among five injured after serious attack outside school in Parnell Square

Siobhan Kearney said she witnessed what she believes was a man attacking children during an incident in Dublin.

She described what she saw as “absolutely bedlam”.

Ms Kearney told RTE she watched people disarm a man who she said had a knife.

“I looked across the road and I see the man and the stabbing motion with a load of children so I flew across the road.

“The man was after stabbing two children as far as I could make out, and we got the children up to the left with the women that were there, and the teachers I presume,” she told the broadcaster.

“People were trying to attack the man so me and an American lady, we formed a ring around the man, and then about three minutes later the ambulance came for the children and then another ambulance and fire officers came for the man on the ground.”

Ireland’s deputy premier Micheal Martin said he is “deeply shocked” at a serious incident in Dublin which he said has left several people injured, including a woman and a number of children.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those injured, their families, friends and the emergency services who responded so quicky at the scene,” he posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

A woman and three young children have been injured in an “appalling attack” in Dublin city centre, as emergency services respond to the major incident in a busy shopping street.

The stabbing happened in the bustling Parnell Square East shortly after 1.30pm on the north side of the Irish capital.

The woman and one of the children, a girl, are in hospital in a serious condition. A man and the two other children have been taken to hospital sustained less serious injuries, the Irish police force, the Garda, has said.

Read the full article from Alex Ross here

A crowd has gathered at the cordon on Parnell Square East amid angry scenes.

Some members of the public are shouting abuse towards gardai.

The incident took place shortly after 1.30pm in Parnell Square East, which is based in the north side of Ireland’s capital Dublin.

Irish Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said his thoughts and prayers are with the victims of a “very serious incident” in his Dublin Central constituency.

“I am aware of an extremely serious incident that has taken place at Parnell Square in my constituency of Dublin Central,” he said.

“My thought and prayers are with the victims of this very serious incident, and their families.

“Anyone with information is being asked to contact Store Street police station.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said gardai have detained a suspect following the incident in Dublin city centre.

“We are all shocked by the incident which has taken place in Parnell Square,” the Irish premier said.

“A number of people have been injured, some of them children. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to them and their families.

“I have been in contact with the Minister for Justice who is keeping me updated. The facts in this matter are still emerging.

“The emergency services responded very quickly and were on site within minutes. I thank them for that.

“Gardai have detained a suspect and are following a definite line of inquiry.”

Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she was “deeply shocked” by the “appalling attack on three innocent children and a woman” in Dublin city centre.

Ms McEntee said: “All our thoughts are with those injured, especially with the children, their parents and families, during this extremely difficult period.

“I have been briefed by the Garda Commissioner and will remain in close contact with him and senior Gardai.

“It is my understanding that Gardai are following a definite line of inquiry and are not looking for any other person at this time.

“This attack has shocked us all, and I have no doubt that the person responsible will be brought to justice.

“However, my thoughts now are with the innocent children and the woman who have been attacked, their families, and those who are caring for them at this time.”

Irish police said they are following a “definite line of inquiry” following the serious incident in Dublin city centre.

A Garda spokesperson also said they were not looking for any other person at this time.

An adult female is being treated for serious injuries and an adult male for less serious injuries.

The scene at Parnell Square East remains sealed off.